The Royals shake their fists at the fates, crushing the Rangers 12-3

by Scott McKinney on Apr 18, 2009 5:24 AM EDT

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune put one between the Royals proverbial eyes on Thursday, as hip surgery put Alex Gordon, possibly the Royals best hitter on the DL for 10 weeks. But under the cruel bludgeonings of chance, the Royals collective head was bloody but unbowed. And now they sit alone in first place.

What went right:

Mark Teahen - 5 for 6 with a HR, double, 3 singles and 3 runs scored
Mike Jacobs - 2 for 6 with a HR, double and 4 RBI
Coco Crisp - 1 for 3 with a HR, 3 RBI and 2 walks
Alberto Callaspo - 3 for 4 plus a walk and two very impressive plays on defense
John Buck - 2 for 4, 2 runs scored and a walk
Billy Butler - 2 for 5 plus a walk
Willie Bloomquist - 2 for 3 plus a walk
Mike Aviles - 2 for 6 and 2 RBI
Gil Meche - 6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K (2.25 ERA)
Jamey Wright - 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (0.00 ERA)

What went wrong:

David DeJesus - 0 for 5 plus a walk
Doug Waecther - 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 HR
Horacio Ramirez - 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 HR

The good news that is bad news:

Willie Bloomquist's nice day at the plate means he's going to get a good deal of playing time with Gordon on the DL and Teahen as the everyday first baseman.

“I’m going to run him [Maier] out there on occasion,” manager Trey Hillman said. “But with the at-bats that Willie (Bloomquist) had tonight, I don’t know that I’m immediately going to take him out of the lineup.”

I guess this means I'm looking forward to Jose Guillen coming off the DL in a week.

The bad news that is good news:

Horacio Ramirez continues to consistently pitch at a little league level. Instead of inducing a lot of playable groundballs, he's giving up line drives and home runs. Hopefully his persistent suckage will convince Hillman and Moore that Horacio Ramirez has no business in a major league rotation, nor in high leverage situations (the latter of which, he has avoided so far). As the schedule currently stands, the Royals won't need a fifth starter again until April 26 against Detroit. Hopefully the Royals will have given up on HoRam as a starter by then. That would be a good time to call up Hochevar, who likely would have spent enough time in the minors by then to buy the Royals an extra year of team control.

Now this great offensive performance needs to be taken with a grain of salt. The Royals put their 12-spot up against t-ball pitchers Harrison, Eyre, Rupe and Guardado. But that's what you're supposed to do against bad pitching. You don't just squeak out 4 or 5 runs. You use it as extended batting practice and bury them. And that's what the Royals did.

The flip side of the coin is that Gil Meche faced an excellent offense featuring a murderer's row lineup which had scored 19 runs the day before and completely shut them down. He doesn't like pitching in TBIA Rangers Ballpark, but when he's working that kind of stuff and control, he could dominate in any park.

I don't want to make too big a deal of this, but in the first game after finding out that they'd lost arguably their best position player for 10 weeks, the Royals could have felt down and played accordingly. Instead they responded with vigor and had their best game of the season. Does that mean something? I don't know. But I like it.

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wonderful game last night - ONE CONCERN

did anyone else notice meche’s significantly decreased velocity??? (consistently at 90-91 – as opposed to his typical 93-94 – and by the 7th, when he couldn’t record an out – he was topping out at 89 on his fastball – he threw at least 3 (three) 87 mph fastballs)

did anyone else notice meche constantly shaking/jiggling his right arm???

i hope i’m wrong . . . . .

by royalstern05 on Apr 18, 2009 8:21 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I wonder what was going on there

Before last night’s game, Meche’s average FB velocity has been 92.1 mph, which is essentially identical to last year (92.3 mph). But looking through the Pitch f/x data from the game, he was at 90-92 in the early innings and in the high 80’s by the 6th. I hope it is just a little fatigue or minor soreness. That would explain why he got pulled in the 7th with a shutout going despite throwing only 92 pitches. Hopefully they can deal with this by having him throw only a light session in between this start and the next, or perhaps not throwing at all.

The immoderate moderator

by Scott McKinney on Apr 18, 2009 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Seemed like all pitchers were throwing slower than usual last night

I was wondering if the gun was just off

by Top Ramen on Apr 18, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Those radar guns can be all over the place

But I’m pretty sure Pitch f/x is consistent and accurate.

The immoderate moderator

by Scott McKinney on Apr 18, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Meche seemed fine watching the game...

until the 7th. After the Royals nearly batted around he had trouble getting loose again. I was actually going to post that a “bad thing” that happened last night is that Hillman didn’t pull Meche a batter earlier. McClure went to the mound when Meche had a three ball count on he batter before to discuss what was going on. As soon as the guy solidly hit the ball, they should have yanked him.

Hopefully it was nothing, but i’m guessing they’ll be watching him pretty closely for the next couple of days. It’s a nice problem to have, that is, our pitchers having to sit no the bench for a long time while our offense bats around and puts up a bunch of runs…

by Big Guy on Apr 18, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree

in fact I would have been fine with not making it to the mound in the 7th. He has been a workhorse, but no reason to leave him in there with that lead.

by wetleg on Apr 18, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I've seen pitchers shaking their arms all the time

It doesn’t necessarily mean they’re hurt. I think it’s kind of a nervous habit or a tic. And wasn’t it warm and humid last night? That will take some velocity off of your pitches. Probably not 2 MPH, but it might have something to do with it.

by Soria's Unibrow on Apr 18, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Greinke does that all the time

I remember seeing that from Greinke early last year and wondering if something was wrong. Then I noticed it in every start he made and practically in every inning. So hopefully it is nothing. We’ll see.

The immoderate moderator

by Scott McKinney on Apr 18, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

he's doomed!

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by Matt Klaassen on Apr 18, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Service Time doesn't Hoch need to stay in Omaha til May 5?

I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal.

by kcscoliny on Apr 18, 2009 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

Has there been an authoritative ruling on that?

So far all I’ve heard is speculation about him needing to be down there half a month or about a month or something like that. I would have thought that with the time he spent in the minors last year that anything approaching a month this season would be enough. Has anything more official come out?

The immoderate moderator

by Scott McKinney on Apr 18, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not sure

I thought I read he had to stay down til May 5. I haven’t heard anything definitive though.

I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal.

by kcscoliny on Apr 18, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought it was May 15th

BOOM! ROASTED!

by GoBabies!! on Apr 18, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Where did you get that from?

The immoderate moderator

by Scott McKinney on Apr 18, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

810 AM

Soren Petro – who is typically very reliable, but it was mentioned before openeing day, when the move was first announced and they were trying to rationalize the decision

BOOM! ROASTED!

by GoBabies!! on Apr 18, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

The bottom line is that is just his estimate (or someone else's estimate that he is repeating)

There is no clear answer. I’ve heard and read from a lot of people (like Rany and others) who are very familiar with the service time and team control rules and issues and all they could do was very generally speculate that it was about a month. So we really don’t know. I have a feeling that the Royals front office has a pretty good idea of what a safe date is. But I don’t think Petro, you or I can say that date X is the magic date with any degree of certainty.

The immoderate moderator

by Scott McKinney on Apr 18, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Sure

Don’t you think it is ironic, that in a game dominated by statistics, it is impossible to figure friggin’ service time accurately?

BOOM! ROASTED!

by GoBabies!! on Apr 18, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I have no idea why MLB hides this kind of information

Fans want to know. You’d think that they’d want to cater to fan interest in ways that essentially cost them nothing. And yet the complicated service time and therefore team control formulas are locked in a vault in the abandoned salt mines near Hutchinson, KS.

The immoderate moderator

by Scott McKinney on Apr 18, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup it's silly

I think it is the same file as the Colonel’s secret recipe & the Coke formula!

BOOM! ROASTED!

by GoBabies!! on Apr 18, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

those salt mines aren't abandoned!

they’re filled with tourists

by marbotty on Apr 18, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Eventually, teams are going to realize that allowing a righty with a mediocre fastball

and poor control pitch to Jacobs is a bad idea.

Until then though, he’s going to mash.

by Top Ramen on Apr 18, 2009 11:14 AM EDT reply actions

I think Teahen's

batting average will shine now that he is at 3rd base. I think he feels very comfortable there. It would be interesting to track his batting average while playing there and when he is removed when golden boy returns. Well, at least Gordon has an excuse now for a down year.

Also, if Hillman is going to bury Maier on the bench with his hot bat right now, send him down.

by BlueBloodRoyal on Apr 18, 2009 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

Hillman did the same thing w/ Aviles

last year when he was called up, & it worked out OK. I’m not about to defend the decision to have Willie B. be your RF’er, but you gotta give him credit, he had some nice AB’s last night.

BOOM! ROASTED!

by GoBabies!! on Apr 18, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah I mean

he’s not going to be a offensive powerhouse but we should at least give him credit when he does hit (last night)

by I need more Esteban on Apr 18, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm happy to give him full credit for his good games

The problem is that even a guy with a .264/.322/.324 stat line has some good games. But the rare good games don’t make him a good player (or even a decent one).

The immoderate moderator

by Scott McKinney on Apr 18, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea

But Maier doesn’t bring a whole lot more offensively than Willie, but he is a much better defender. Maier definitely has more upside potential, but hasn’t yet shown it above AAA…

BOOM! ROASTED!

by GoBabies!! on Apr 18, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I definitely think Maier > Bloomquist

I don’t expect either of them to hit much. In fact, I’m fairly certain that Bloomquist won’t hit. He has proven himself to be a crappy MLB hitter. Maier at least has some offensive upside. But even if you equate their hitting abilities, Maier is likely the better defender.

The immoderate moderator

by Scott McKinney on Apr 18, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

But Willie's making more money!

Guys with better WARs get paid more, thus, Willie = better

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by Matt Klaassen on Apr 18, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

play the hot hand~!

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by Matt Klaassen on Apr 18, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah seriously "arguably our best hitter"

I think NYRoyal has lost it. Last year Aviles, Dejesus, Butler and even Guillen were better. I think Gordon is good at drawing walks and has some speed but thats about it.

Why did we not draft Longoria again? Unlike Gordon, he’s good

by GobbleforCyoung on Apr 18, 2009 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Longoria is "great"

Gordon is “good.”

"Do they have people that tall in Mexico?"

by NHZ on Apr 18, 2009 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Ever heard of prospects, development and projections?

Good lord your ignorance is embarrassing.

The immoderate moderator

by Scott McKinney on Apr 19, 2009 2:47 AM EDT up reply actions

along those lines though....

Gordon has been a good example of why NOT to believe in the projections that are out there.

However, in no way can I agree that our team gets better with Gordon out.

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on Apr 19, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Horribly wrong

One should not believe in projections because he’s underperformed projections in one year? or for two weeks? Please. You’ve got to be smarter than that.

The immoderate moderator

by Scott McKinney on Apr 19, 2009 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions

OT

Yankees are getting butt raped by Wang (and the Indians)

Farny being Farny.

by JobDDT on Apr 18, 2009 4:38 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

And somebody named Clagget is throwing gasoline on the fire

Wang has been terrible this year. Worse than HoRam.

The immoderate moderator

by Scott McKinney on Apr 18, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

You have to wonder

How long the 14 runs in a single inning record will hold up at the new Yankee Stadium?

Also, if my memory serves me correctly, didn’t the Indians beat the Yankees like 30-5 a few years ago @ old Yankee Stadium?

Farny being Farny.

by JobDDT on Apr 18, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't remember that, but it may have happened

I do absolutely love that the Indians are embarrassing the Yankees in their first series in the new Toilet.

The immoderate moderator

by Scott McKinney on Apr 18, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it sucks

Not because I like the Yankees but I’d love Cleveland to embarrassingly scrub along the bottom of the division for as long as possible. I think we need bigger than a 3.5 game lead. I think. But, I could be wrong.

The General Theory of Royaltivity

by kabrink on Apr 18, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Holy crap

That may be the ugliest man I’ve ever seen. He looks like Freddy.

Farny being Farny.

by JobDDT on Apr 18, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

They didn't get 30, but they did kill them like 22-2 last year or the year before

The Rangers are the ones that put up 30 on the Orioles

BOOM! ROASTED!

by GoBabies!! on Apr 18, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Someone should tell Mr. Wang

that, while it’s understandable that he wants to keep the ball away from Mr. Jeter, that perhaps something a bit higher that a 33% GB rate might be advisable for a guy with his K rate.

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by Matt Klaassen on Apr 18, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Didn't take long for the Rangers to get Derek Holland up to the Majors

DFA’d Rupe today

I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal.

by kcscoliny on Apr 18, 2009 6:03 PM EDT reply actions

that's a mistake

realistically speaking

by slayor on Apr 18, 2009 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

He has talent and could be an upgrade to their very weak rotation. Probably rushing him though

I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal.

by kcscoliny on Apr 18, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions

He's going to pitch out of the pen to start.

"It doesn't look like he's trying. It kinda pisses me off," "He could throw 110 if he tried. The way it explodes out of his hand is really something special." ~ B-Mac on Feliz.

by Kinslerhomer on Apr 18, 2009 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions